Method and Apparatus for Measuring the Angular Orientation Between Two Surfaces

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed that measure the relative angular orientation between two surfaces. Two frames are mounted on the two surfaces to be measured. A collimated light is reflected between the frames and its position is read on a scale. The frame with the collimated light is flipped over and a second position measurement is taken. The difference in position is used to calculate the non-parallel angle between the two rolls. The method and measuring scale can be adapted to provide accurate measurement of very small, near parallel orientation angles. The two frames can be adapted to measure the angular orientation of important surfaces such as rolls or odd shapes that are otherwise difficult to measure.

1 . A method to measure an angular orientation between two surfaces comprising: 
 a. a first frame mounted on a first surface of said two surfaces,    b. a second frame mounted on a second surface of said two surfaces,    c. a mirror that is attached to said second frame in a manner to align said mirror to said second surface,    d. a collimated light source that is attached to said first frame which projects a collimated light beam,    e. a scale that is attached to said first frame which is adapted to measure the position of said collimated light beam,    f. wherein said scale is oriented substantially parallel to said first surface,    g. wherein said collimated light beam is directed onto said mirror and reflected onto said scale, wherein a first reading from said scale is made,    h. wherein said first frame is flipped over and re-mounted on said first surface,    i. wherein said collimated light beam is directed onto said mirror and reflected onto said scale, wherein a second reading from said scale is made,    j. a plane that is defined by the average path of said collimated light beam and an intersection with a line parallel to the measuring orientation of said scale, and    k. the distance between said first frame and said second frame is measured,    whereby said angular orientation between said first surface and said second surface is determined in said plane.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said scale is a position sensitive detector.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein 
 a. said collimated light source is mounted on a first rotating axis wherein said first rotating axis is oriented parallel to said first surface, and    b. said mirror is mounted on a second rotating axis wherein said second rotating axis is oriented parallel to said second surface.    
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  whereby said first surface is a roll and said second surface is a roll.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said angular orientation between said two surfaces is used to determine the distance to a target.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the distance between said first frame and said second frame is measured by electronic sensors incorporating sound or light.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said second frame is flipped over between said first reading and said second reading.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus to measure an angular orientation between two surfaces comprising: 
 a. a first frame mounted on a first surface of said two surfaces,    b. a second frame mounted on a second surface of said two surfaces,    c. a mirror that is attached to said second frame in a manner to align said mirror to said second surface,    d. a collimated light source that is attached to said first frame which projects a collimated light beam,    e. a position indicating scale that is attached to said first frame which is adapted to measure the position of said collimated light beam,    f. wherein said scale is oriented substantially parallel to said first surface,    g. wherein said collimated light beam is directed onto said mirror and reflected onto said scale wherein a first reading is taken,    h. wherein said first frame is flipped over and re-mounted on said first surface,    i. wherein said collimated light beam is directed onto said mirror and reflected onto said scale wherein a second reading is taken,    j. a plane that is defined by the average path of said collimated light beam and an intersection with a line parallel to the measuring orientation of said scale, and    k. the distance between said first frame and said second frame is measured,    whereby said angular orientation between said first surface and said second surface in said plane is calculated.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said scale is a position sensitive detector.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein 
 a. said collimated light source is mounted on a first rotating axis wherein said first rotating axis is oriented parallel to said first surface, and    b. said mirror is mounted on a second rotating axis wherein said second rotating axis is oriented parallel to said second surface.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said first surface is a roll and said second surface is a roll.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said angular orientation between said two surfaces is used to determine the distance to a target.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the distance between said first frame and said second frame is measured by electronic sensors incorporating sound or light.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said second frame is flipped over between said first reading and said second reading.